Help with a signature. Old script

[A. F Medic]

Got a letter written by a soldier on December 03 1917 at Camp Dodge Iowa.

He was writing about the new draftees coming to the Camp. I was going to post the letter but he used the "N" word which was common practice is those days.

I would like to ID the signature but can not read the last name. His first name is Willard.

I will try to track the name from there and maybe send the letter back to camp dodge. If any of our forum members live near there or in Iowa, I would appreciate a mailing address.

Google Camp Dodge and it was quite active for many years. Had a movie theatre that held 3,000 GI"S

Also , it was a place that a photographer assembled up to 30,000 GIs to form various images. Most famous was the Statue of Liberty. Those images are on the web site.

Information

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[mhb]

to compare, particularly, terminal letters in his words, it appears that his name is Willard McPaul, or McPau.
mhb - Mike

[A. F Medic]

to compare, particularly, terminal letters in his words, it appears that his name is Willard McPaul, or McPau.
mhb - Mike

Never considered that. Sounds good. Waiting to see if anybody else comes up with something. He was writing to his friend Avis...

[Steven Martin]

I live in Ames, Ia (where these damn computers were invented). I'm looking at a map of Camp Dodge and for the life of me can't find an address in the phone book. However everyone in the Des Moines area knows where the entrance is on NW 70th st, Johnston, Ia 50131 so it should get there. I'll bet the Camp has its own zip however. HTH but I probably confused you more than helped. Steve

[PhillipM]

Camp Dodge

Billeting 515-252-4238
Champus 515-252-4679
Chapel 515-252-4378
Classrooms (IMA Complex) 515-252-4338
Classrooms (ICN) 515-252-4592
Dodge House 515-252-4239
Facilities Rental 515-252-4576
Grandview College 515-252-4546
Iowa Gold Star Museum 515-252-4531/4724
Joint Forces Headquarters - Armory Building Supervisor 515-252-4560
Joint Forces Headquarters Front Desk - MP 515-252-4194
MEPS 515-224-0125
Military ID Cards: Johnston 515-252-4728
Military ID Cards: Iowa City 319-545-4485 ext 19097
Post Exchange 515-252-4382/515-270-2577
Records Center 515-252-4313/4329
Recreation Hall 515-727-3338
SATO Travel 800-788-7286
Security 515-240-3742
State Photographer 515-252-4288
Theater 515-727-3399
Troop Medical Clinic (TMC) 515-252-4235/4141
Veterans Affairs 515-242-5331
Wellness Center 515-252-4760

Address: Office of The Adjutant General of Iowa
Joint Forces Headquarters
7105 NW 70th Avenue
Johnston, Iowa 50131-1824

Phone: 515-252-4211 or DSN 431-4211

Hope this helps

[Emri]

Never considered that. Sounds good. Waiting to see if anybody else comes up with something. He was writing to his friend Avis...

That is what I saw before reading mhb's post. Definitely Willard. Could be a middle initial M. Or McPaul as mhb stated.

I would think posting the letter would be OK, even with the words you mention as it must be taken in historical context. Unless of course the meaning is definitely related to racial hatred rather than description. Or put it in a photo program and "erase" the words. You cannot change the wording however as you will be guilty of changing history.

FWIW,

Emri

[BruceV]

Changing history. Gee... I thought to do that one had to be a professor in college, a left-wing liberal democrat or else a member of the msm.

[JohnMOhio]

Willard McBaul, Willard M Baw. Willard M Ban, William M Baul, William M Pau. Willard M Paul

[DAVEB47]

Here's my guess.
Willard Marion Barr (1894-1977) Who has a connection to Laclede County,Missouri. Age and location both would work with Camp Dodge in 1917.

[A. F Medic]

Here's my guess.
Willard Marion Barr (1894-1977) Who has a connection to Laclede County,Missouri. Age and location both would work with Camp Dodge in 1917.

You could be right. He said that he had to take a train home for Christmas.

He would also be 24years old. How did you do that? Ancestry.com?

I am putting all the names in one place and see if I can find company rosters. It would look like he made it through WWl.

His name is not important in history but it gives life to the soldiers of WWl. Also, there may be survivors of Mt Barr.( I hope he was not related to the infamous Mr Barr)

How did a almost 100 year old letter make it to an auction in Erie Pa? We are the only Pa. city on Lake Erie. Good job!!